Although most of us spend a lot of money on things for our new babies, having a baby need not be expensive. Babies actually need very little, and what you do need doesn’t have to be cost a lot.

Every family finds they value different things and their baby wish list will be different.

A useful approach is to get the absolute minimum before baby is born, and then only get things if and when you find you need them. Ask yourself – is this essential?

Less stuff

There are many reasons to buy less – it saves money, has less impact on the environment and less clutter makes for a simpler life.

Buy 2nd hand

Go along to our local Nearly New Sale where you will be able to pick up things up at very reasonable prices. For safety reasons there are some things like car seats and mattresses which you are advised to buy new.

Beg and borrow and freecycle

Many parents want to get rid of stuff they no longer, or maybe never used. So ask around. Find out about your local Freecycle or Freegle.

Gifts

If you write a gift list then friends and family can get you something that you actually want.

Feeding

Breastfeeding is the cheapest option and most environmentally friendly option. You’ll almost certainly need nursing bras. Some women need breastpads. Nursing tops can be a good investment, but aren’t necessary.

Bottle feeding expressed milk and formula feeding both need much more equipment – bottles, teats, steriliser. Powdered formula is cheaper. For expressing you’ll need storage bottles/bags and although some mums express successfully by hand, most use a pump.

Clothes

All a young baby really needs are a few baby suits. And depending on the time of year a few more layers for warmth – a hat, gloves and a jacket. Don’t get too many – they’ll grow out of them quick!

Nappies

The cheapest long-term option is reusable nappies. Although you’ll have a bigger initial outlay you save over £600 for a single baby. Your council may have a scheme where you can claim money back for using reusable nappies. To cut costs and be as environmentally friendly as possible wash your nappies at a lower temperature, and line dry, or use a nappy laundry service.

Sleep

Alternatively start with a Moses basket, crib or carry cot, then skip the cot and go for a cot bed. Or skip the Moses basket and go straight to the cot, or bedside cot/cosleeper which adjusts to the same height as your bed for easier night feeds. No pillows, cot bumpers, quilts or duvets – they are a suffocation risk.

Out and about

A light weight reclining pushchair suitable for newborns will last longest. Expensive travel systems or prams may not be useful for long, so maybe borrow, buy 2nd hand or do without! There is a bewildering range of pushchairs and travel systems. What suits you will depend on whether you use a car, public transport and other factors. www.which.co.uk/reviews/baby-and-child/